Soi 1 Guesthouse, "Western influenced," Thai owned - 24 hour access youth hostel internet-cafe, restaurant/bar and offers great travel resources, with English speaking staff, and the best located hostel in terms of arrival/departures.
Hello fellow travelers, 'Soi 1 guesthouse' is an Australian/American influenced, Thai owned 24 hour, guesthouse, and youth hostel, now being over-seen by our diligent, on-site owner, Nai. Whether it's your first time or if you've been here before, we have time to help all travelers! Thai is my native language, but I can speak English and German, which over here, you'll find, saves you first-time visitors heaps of time and aggravation as you settle in; I lived in Germany for 5 years!
'Soi 1 Guesthouse' is proud to be part of the fast growing 'Sukhumvit area.' 'Soi 1 Guesthouse' gives you a great alternative to Bangkok, location wise. From Soi 1 you can easily access the better part of Bangkok safely, cheaply and easily.
Why are we a top rated hostel? We go the extra distance! We exemplify the casual atmosphere and the camaraderie of our travelers. The friendships made and the adventures shared are what we are about! It's partly but more than just the parties, games room, bar, live sports from Satellites, free WI-FI, free maps, high-speed internet, clean rooms, new linen and mattresses, plush towels and hot showers (did we mention that 'Nai' keeps the place clean enough to walk bare-foot in?) It's really all about the good vibe, good people and the adventure that makes great memories priceless!
We are experienced and will share our knowledge with you. Your experience here depends on a variety of intangibles but an open mind, an air of sociability and an easy smile is the best way to start. Let us help you to a good start. With our easy access location (sky train, subway, bus stop, canals, on-ramp to airport 1 block - saves mass time in Bangkok traffic) you?ll get here easily, (airport to door in 20 minutes,) realize you've brought way to much, use our secure, free bag storage! Relax, get rid of the jet-lag, and on you go! We know you'll book us when you return to Bangkok for your departure because we got the location and a love for everyone with the spirit to travel!
We have just received our first ever award; presented by HostelBookers for being recognized in their data base of HostelBookers customer reviews as one of the ?Top 10 rated hostels worldwide in the category of *fun* for January 2007!? Woohoo! Thanks to our past guests and to the rest, come join in!
We take great pride in the condition of Soi 1 Guesthouse. Clean describes it best. We have new mattresses, sheets, and pillows on every bed and air-conditioning in every room. No hidden fees. No tricky prices. All our beds are the same price, unlike some Hostels that list. One bed cheap to make their on-line booking cost seem low Tricking you into believing all their beds are that price, You usually don't notice till after you book the real price. Tricky eh. Not us.
The Owner Nai, (lived in Europe for 5 years) is a lovely Buddhist Thai lady who can speak English, German, and of course Thai? a real bonus as plenty have found and, you'll find if you need to call locally to airlines, tour companies, show bookings etc....that being a Bangkok native; she knows the best of the best from tailors to temples!
The condition of our atmosphere is one that is relaxed, open minded, comfortable, secure, clean, and happy. We keep it that way. If you?re arriving or departing at Bangkok you will find that we are what you want! If you?re an experienced backpacker you will notice how great our new thick mattresses, clean linen, plush towels, the 'guest-friendly management' and the affordable, comfortable environment we supply are compared to others! By the way, there are no extra charges for any of these items like with some other hostels!
Our 24 hour restaurant here at 'Soi 1' serves delicious Western and classic Thai dishes like Tom Yum, Pad Thai, Thai curries and more, prepared as you order to taste, never frozen and using only fresh ingredients! 'Soi 1?s? restaurant is air-conditioned and open 23 hours, serving you, if you choose as you arrive - breakfast, lunch, or a light snack or dinner. Breakfast starts from just 30 Baht.
*Bar*
Mondays:
We have a new special that?s proving popular - we won't tell you how to get free drinks till you get here and ask!
Thursday night:
Beer and pool night. Buy 2 pints of beer or 2 mixed drinks - you and your mate get a complimentary pool game!
Other nights:
See house board for specials. We get creative here.
All in our air-conditioned licensed bar.
We have a new pool table, 2 satellites dishes to catch over 400 + stations and sports and programs from around the world. We also have a great variety of music, 24 hour Hi-speed internet access (1 Baht a minute) (to those who can?t take advantage of our free strong signal WI-FI through-out the entire hostel.) All in our air-conditioned bar and game-room along with the darts (new bristle board coming,) chess and other social games that do help people come together and relax cheaply; free book exchange and lounge for your use!
Soi 1 has:
Triple private, 4, 6 (Female, unless someone needs help) 8, and 10 person dorm rooms. All beds are in a good air-conditioned room. We have a total of 33 beds. The 3 person private room has beds that are double on the bottom and single on top and can be booked to accommodate up to three people shower only. All toilets are shared, Western style and we supply the toilet paper. (We keep them clean, check our rating for cleanliness, toilets can tell you a lot about a place!) Lucky 7 rooms is a Spacious, air-conditioned private Apt next door.( can use the Hostel facilities) It has its own bathroom with hot water and shower, closet, a double bed and a single bed (longer term rental available at a discounted price).
Staying In Bangkok? Want to go to Khao San Rd (18 baht), Grand Palace, and Temple of the Dawn, Wat Po, and China Town? We've put together booklets of different, budget minded, full day excursions. Ask about our ?Adventure around Bangkok,? you'll be glad you did! It includes the top 3 tourist places in Bangkok; total transportation cost will be less than 80 Baht. (Struth mate) But you won't know unless you ask us how! No accommodation east of us can do it any cheaper. We specialize in helping you move onward with current advice, tips and a few tricks we know, shared by ourselves or our patrons who are fresh from their run through South East Asia.
Moving on from Bangkok? We show you how to get to everywhere, on your own and save you the $ that the tour agency would normally get for them booking your tour. Yes, there are times when a tour agency is your best option, mostly when you are limited on time, but with the proper knowledge (i.e. where to go) you?re able to book your own. Save money, do more! Here are just some of the destinations we make available for you.
One of our favorites is....
Kanchanaburi, including the floating market, war cemetery, and bridge over the River Kwai, Tiger Temple (walk beside tigers, don?t run or move to fast.) Elephant riding and washing, monkey training zoo, the big tree and Ayutthaya are also available! We can get you there for 200 baht at the most, includes a scenic train ride.
See what some say are the best falls in Thailand- Erawan Falls (have a swim at the bottom), Tiger Temple (ever touch a tiger?) Hot Springs, Hell Fire Pass, Elephant rides (ever wash an elephant?) and bamboo rafting. We can tell you how to get there for less than 200 baht. Make it a 3 day run and you can add three Pagoda Pass, Viwagaram Temple, underwater temple, orphanage, and long wooden bridge. Monkey training School.
We show you how and where to book your own bus, train, plane to? The Islands of Thailand-Koh Chang (romantic), Koh Kut, Koh Wai, Koh Mak and Southern Islands - Koh Tao (the Island of the turtle, diving), Koh Phangan (Full Moon Party, Koh Samui - South ? Phi-Phi, Krabi, Phuket, Had Yai, Koh Lak, We can get you there as we have done for many already?and for the least amount possible!
Northeastern Thailand has Chang Mai (We recommend you staying at Spicy Thai backpackers If there, Why? cause I like the way they do it! = Guest-friendly!) Laos - Vientiane. Vietnam. The (Burma) Myanmar border is opening up more now than ever. Cambodia - Siam Reap, Angkor Wat, Phnom Phen and the southern beaches of Cambodia.
Everyone needs a map so they can get an idea of how to get about and to realize just how great our location is. We give you a free map of Bangkok, showing BTS (Sky train), MRT (Subway), Canal routes ? which you should do at least once when you are here. Want to go to Khao San Rd? We'll get you there from the front door of Soi 1 for less than 20 Baht. We also have more detailed maps, which include Sukhumvit, China Town, Banglampoo. The Chatuchak (the huge weekend market) from Soi1 you can get there for less than 40 baht. Update; just ask us how to get to the places you want to go. Our location is as good as we say. (See our location comments overall) the only people who think our location is bad are folks that have not asked us how to get some where and have jumped in a taxi or tuk tuk with no idea and have been overcharged. (Beware of tuk tuks) from Soi 1 guesthouse front door and back to the major tourist sites (i.e. The Grand Palace, Wat Po, Emerald Buddah etc.) we can tell you how to get there and back for less than 80 baht in Transportation cost. For your happiness, please ask us how if we have not already showed you. Be a traveler, not just a tourist.
At 'Soi 1 Guesthouse' we happily help you find what you?re looking for and can offer many suggestions to you no matter what your budget or time restraints. Just ask us how! Oh we also have a nice library of travel reference books that deal with Thailand and the rest of S.E. Asia and other countries that are most traveled to, by our guest exiting Thailand. (I.e. Australia, India, Cambodia etc...)
We serve Heineken and Local beers such as Singha, Chang, Leo and Chang draft all reasonably priced. Dave?s Tip; try the "Red Horse" beer - large bottle 100 Baht 6.9 % with flavor and of course various spirits.
All guests also receive free 20 minutes per day after 22:00 p.m. of 2.5 mbps ADSL internet access or computer time. Gives our guest a chance to see if they have e-mails and possibly time to reply to a few, on us. We do not use a clock, just be honest. Internet costs 1 baht a minute; at that price, usually everyone puts up the cost. At Soi 1 Guesthouse you have unlimited time, free, strong signal WI-FI (wireless internet) that can be received (now on all 4 floors, in all rooms and roof top balcony) by anyone with his or her own laptop or wireless device 24 hours a day, no day fees, and no memberships!
New--negotiated for our guest who Want a Traditional Thai massage, yesterday. A block away we made a deal. 1 hour Traditional Thai massage cost a flat 200 Baht, a fraction of the cost charged at home ,they are addicting- when I get a stiff neck from working behind this computer all day, It is the cure, great for hangovers, gets the blood moving!!
Here in Bangkok, we are being more than just noticed. We have set a standard of service, cleanliness and care for our guests to such an extent that some hostels/guesthouses are finally getting a clue and finding that they better start 'cleaning up their acts' and providing a 'Guest-Friendly hostel?. That?s a great bonus for those who never even stay At 'Soi 1 Guesthouse.' Feel good, get here feeling comfortable from the start and it will be a help to your entire trip. <<< Open for 1 year and we can see a result, thanks.
We are a 33 bed hostel and are mid-sized. We have the time for each guest, plus 'we have the love of adventure!' We ask all visitors to Bangkok, who book accommodation on the web, no matter where you choose to book, to please read the reviews on the web and to please rate their accommodation experience on the web.
Your comments will help by exposing the false claims made by some hostels to lure unaware travelers (i.e. location - a bad location could easily cost you as much as your room a day in transportation cost.) accessibility - can you get in 24 hours? The true mood of the hostel. Is it truly "guest friendly"? Is it a just a expensive restaurant with rooms above? Is it a hostel or a hole?) Do they just have a lot of ?front" and once they get your money you get no further service - Or to substantiate that the claims made are accurate.
This is actually the best thing you can do to help us, you, and future travelers improve everyone?s experience here. It's a whole new world now. With your on-line comments you can help others make informed decisions from their own house by you exposing or substantiating on-line. We are making big changes here by setting higher standards and your help is greatly appreciated. Many guests that come here have left other hostels upset by inaccurate descriptions and grumpy management. We?ll tell you like we tell them, there?s only one way to help others avoid the same mistake -- Make an honest review! Hostelbookers rating system keeps ratings honest and accurate, low ratings have a reason -Don't Stay at the worst rated hostel, Why would ya? Start and finish your trip with "No Worries"!
When you get here make sure you ask to be shown where we are located. Our location is as good as we make out, but if you don't know where you are, you?re lost no matter where you?re at.
Be friendly, be happy, and be helpful. We realize while traveling, schedules change, opportunities arise, if this happens to you we will never charge your card for missing your reserved booking and we will cheerfully fully refund your nights not used. If your flight leaves late in the day, you can secure your luggage till departure time for free; relax in our air-conditioned game room/bar/TV or internet lounge. No day fees. No fees for washing sheets. No hidden fees!
We don't allow food to be taken into rooms as we have zero bug content in our rooms and wish to keep it that way for future guest. This rule is not unusual in hostels but some claim it unfair, they don't think of others, some of whom don't like the smell of some foods. But the majority of guests appreciate it as it keeps the rooms comfortable for all. We do supply places to eat outside of the room, ?Sorry Peter, but no you can't stash that curry dish under your bed for later!?
We are different, well traveled ourselves we understand the curiosities, needs, and dislikes of being on the road, so we are ahead of the game. Free lockers (bigger than a laptop), free long term storage, free travel advice.
Come by, no matter where you stay, have a look. Our resources are open to every traveler.
You learn from your environment, expanding that environment by traveling is the greatest thing you can do for yourself and the world. Bangkok is one of the safest cities for its size in the world. Thai people deserve their country being known as "The Land of Smiles". Bring your smile, an open mind and enjoy a world that most have never imagined. If you come and stay with us, you will bring friends back - this is how we know we have done our part!
We ask only one thing after you depart, give us a review on HostelBookers, good or bad as long as it's honest. We are dedicated to supply an informative, up-beat, inexpensive Haven for our guests and seriously look at all complaints/dislikes/criticism as a chance to improve. Saying that mate, a pat on the o'le back doesn?t hurt either! Compare our location and our customer reviews to others and you will see we are unique in location and services provided. Realizing you can't please everyone, Thanks to our previous guest taking the time to help make us one of the top places for budget travelers in Bangkok! We'll be looking to keep that up. Thanks for the pat!
Located next to the Bumrungrad Hospital, so many patients from around the world they just opened a Thai visa office there no lines as of yet - convenient for many of my guest.
Don't be misled; being next to a World class hospital our street is quiet and safe. There is not a "girly bar" on the street (Soi 1). The sleaze factor is 0. Two blocks east of here all that changes.
Embassies:
Walking distance to the British (6 blocks), Australian, American, Dutch, and Spanish and Vietnam (8 blocks), Cambodian, Danish, Finnish, Swedish, New Zealand, Swiss, German, Austrian, Polish and South African embassies heaps of other embassies in walking distance.
Kick-boxing: (the real deal)
If you?re interested in Thai Boxing, here's the places where it happens. Not far from here (again walking distance) is the main venue in the world to watch kick-boxing 'Lumpini stadium'. It's something to see, mad crowds. Here?s a bit about fight times--
Main venue Lumpini Stadium, Rama IV Road.
Open: Every Tuesday and Friday at 18:30 p.m. - 23:00 p.m. and Saturday at 17:00 p.m. -20:00 p.m. and 20:30 p.m. - midnight.
Ratchadamnoen Boxing Stadium, Ratchadamnoen Nok Road. Open: every Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday at 18:00 pm.
Shopping:
Everywhere, for all budgets
From Siam Square to mamas cart just too many places to mention, all reachable in minutes, but we know the best places to get everything!
There are so many things, with-in walking distance, around like....
Temples, shops, markets, parks, cheap transport from here to anywhere in the city. We are centrally located, near (1 block) from the highway that takes you to/from airport, from here that makes it almost impractical to take anything but the taxi (less than 350 baht including both tolls.) many do it for less than 300 as there is no in-town traffic (Bangkok rhymes with gridlock) or lights to contend with. Waking distance to Embassy row, Vietnam (embassy is 8 Blocks) Bangkok is known as the easiest/ fastest place to get Vietnam Visa's we are the closest Hostel to British***the famous 'Suan Lum ' night markets, << update< better get here fast seems these will soon be demolished for Apts>>> major cinema's (go on Monday cheap) and Shopping centers BMK- Siam
?Central world, Pratnum Plaza, Pantip Plaza (a leg shaking 5 stories of computer and IT goods.) Baiyok Tower = tallest building in Bangkok with a rotating platform for a full 360 degree look at the city, it also has what I think is the greatest buffet in Bangkok bit pricey at 600 baht but worth it, what a selection!! This is a great place to impress.
Thanks and we hope to greet you soon, and if you read all this, well done. Come and get a free mangosteen (it?s a fruit) when you arrive, just by saying you did read it all.
Upon arrival get bags then go to 'Departures' and grab a Taxi as he is letting off a fare. Faster than waiting in line, and driver is eager to get a fast fare from nowhere, the meter is your best way, insist on it. 300-350 is the norm. (This is another little trick of many that can make your experience here so much easier. ) If there are two or more of you take a taxi as the cost will be close to 2 on the bus. Again you must insist that they use a meter. Do not pay over 400 baht. If you do I will refer you to this page that you will probably have printed out in you hand at the time.
If they don't want to use the meter, close the door and catch the next one. We can?t make you more aware. Want hassle free arrival? Listen to us! We feel we are the best located hostel/Guesthouse in Bangkok, Compare our easy accessible location and our short walking distance to the major modes of cheap transportation (BTS, Skytrain, Canals, subway and with the best hospital in Thailand one block (Bumrungrad) from us, taxis are always about no matter the a.m. or p.m.) Compare, you will see that the savings per day in transportation to and from "Soi 1 guesthouse? while visiting Bangkok, will pay for your nights stay in any hostel here. We are in central Bangkok you can see on the map, locate others on the map that claim the same and compare.
The street is also named 'Soi 1' we are about 300 meters up Soi 1 on right just in front of the 7-11. Big Sign (Soi 1 Guesthouse) should be brightly lit for you late night arrivals.
Have an easy one at Soi 1
We look forward to greeting you.
SOI1GUESTHOUSE
* Big Party July 16th (David?s birthday) everyone in the world is invited, No matter where you stay, even If you stay at another hostel. Free, Lets crowd the whole block....
* We would like to note to guest that David and Pete will be going to the jungle for a month, Itchy feet and hey we like to travel and learn more too, we will be gone approx. Sept-Oct. will have many things on wall for added help and Nai will be here so ask for her help as well as the staff.
Tell the bus/taxi driver 'Sook-Um-vit Soi noong' = showing your index finger. Sukhumvit Soi 1, and insist on meter being used. If they refuse close the door and look for the next. If you choose a cab. Just insist on them using the meter. From the new airport 300-350 baht. Upon arrival get bags then go to 'Departures' and grab a Taxi as he is letting off a fare. Faster than waiting in line, and driver is eager to get a fast fare from nowhere, the meter is your best way, insist on it. 300-350 is the norm. (This is another little trick of many that can make your experience here so much easier. ) If there are two or more of you take a taxi as the cost will be close to 2 on the bus. Again insist on meter. If they don't want to use the meter, Close the door and catch the next one. We can?t make you more aware. Want hassle free Arrival? Listen to Us,
We suggest taking a taxi but if you decide to use the bus......
If you arrive at the new airport your cheapest way to get here would be the 552 bus to the
"On Nut"(E9) Skytrain board the skytrain there, at that point there is only one direction to go west so it's easy enough. From there go to the Phloen Chit stop (E2). get off walk down steps on what was the right side as you arrived, at botom of steps walk the way you came, cross railroad tracks take the first street on you left. This street is called Soi 1. Walk down Soi 1 for about 200 meters and we are on the right side just before the 7-11.
(Voice of experience = Take a Taxi, Insist on meter) |
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| | Quality of Service: | | 100% | |
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